Located in the northwest end of Mississauga by the huge Royal Bank building off the 401, is a non-chain restaurant called Union Social Eatery. The restaurant has an airy, open concept feel with a bar lined with large flat screen TVs that sits center stage. The lounge area is to the right and the dining area to the left. Everything is made in-house, including their signature sauces, in-house smoked wings and hand-cut Yukon Gold fries. You know a place is doing well when they open up their first location in Mississauga and then expand into Toronto. Usually it’s the other way around. This is the case for Union Social Eatery, who opened their second location at Yonge and St. Clair. They are doing something right along with dishing out good food!

This place is one of the most popular South Indian restaurant in the GTA—and for good reason. The recently expanded location has undergone a renovation that closed the restaurant for some months, causing a near riot in the foodie/Indian community in the region. The service here is excellent and the helpful wait staff is more than happy to explain each dish and chilli level to first timers. To me, there is nothing more beautiful than a crispy and buttery Masala dosa with three different fresh chutneys and the soup (Sambar), which is to die for. Here is a tip, MAKE RESERVATIONS or you may be forced to wander the parking lot at McLaughlan and Derry for an hour as you wait for an open table. Also, meat lovers need not apply, this place is strictly vegetarian.

Piatto is a long-standing Sauga gem that’s been loyally serving diners since 1989. A fine dining resto on the ground floor of an old-style house-turned-spa at the corner of Dundas and Mississauga Road, the resto boasts an old school but lively vibe and is always full of regulars. The service is attentive and accommodating—something that keeps loyal diners coming back for more on special occasions. The menu reflects Chef Abramo Tonelli's classical Italian cuisine, blended with a touch of French. Born in Argentina and of Italian descent, his daily blackboard specials are abundant in seafood options and other well crafted selections.

This exceedingly creative gem sits on the Mississauga and Brampton border and offers an incredible array of North American and Indian fusion dishes. It’s truly one of a kind, and offers such creative concoctions as jerk chicken samosas, apple pie samosas, butter chicken mac n’ cheese, butter chicken loaded fries and, most importantly, the Punjabi cheeseburger with tandoori bacon. Founded by Rick Matharu, a Recipe to Riches winner who took the top spot for his butter chicken lasagna, the restaurant does something decidedly unique and pays homage to two distinct food cultures. This is not a burger you want to miss.

Before we start talking about the food and the restaurant, we’ve got to say that we love the name and where Michael’s is located. The setup is so unlike anything else in Mississauga, as it is located at the back of a building in Clarkson off Lakeshore Road and is almost a secret because it’s completely hidden from public view. As you park in the back alley, you will find a glass solarium protruding from the back. It’s almost like you are walking into a secret location. We love the risotto pescatore, which has risotto with shrimp, scallops, fresh tomatoes and white wine. This is a perfect place for a date and they even have a piano room that can accommodate 40 people (so it's great for a corporate dinner). They also have a wine room for up to 16, which is great for family parties when you just don’t want to cook at home. Michael’s is expanding so much that it might have a front door one day. Also, Michael’s Back Door has been around since 1981, so you know they’re doing something right.